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La Belle Époque Hourglass Ensemble

27 April 2025

In the Utzon Room

Classical Music

Ethereal delights from the unique combination of flute, harp, and viola, featuring giants of Belle Époque French and German composition, and modern musicians standing on their shoulders to find expansive new sound worlds.

…a varied and highly enjoyable programme.

Limelight Magazine

Useful information:

Chamber music of Europe’s luscious Golden Age

Experience the dreamlike beauty of the music of La Belle Époque, with brilliant music highlighting the harp from impressionist master Claude Debussy, and lyrical romanticism of Camille Saint-Saëns. 

During the peaceful decades between wars, a new-found optimism and prosperity fueled striking cultural innovation, creating a Golden Age of art and thought across Europe. 

Also in this magical program are exciting new pieces from young Australian composers Andrew Ball and Tristan Coelho, exploring imaginative sounds and textures via collisions of acoustic and electronic instruments.

Presented by Hourglass Ensemble

Artist information

Artistic Director Andrew Kennedy

Flutes Ewa Kowalski
Clarinets Andrew Kennedy
Harp Emily Granger
Viola Neil Thompson
Electronics Tristan Coelho

Program

Claude Debussy 
Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp 

Tristan Coelho 
Hokusai Mix Tape

Astor Piazzolla
Cafe 1930 from The History of Tango

Lili Boulanger
Nocturne for Flute and Harp 

Franz Poenitz 
Capriccio for Clarinet and Harp 

Andrew Ball
New work for Bass Clarinet, Viola, and Electronics

Missy Mazzoli 
Vespers for Amplified Viola and Soundtrack

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